On September 13, 2024, massage therapist Brandon Rowley of Orange County, Florida, got his license to practice massage therapy restricted by the Florida Department of Health. An Order of Emergency Restriction was issued after a complaint was filed against Rowley of sexual assault on a client while working at The Spa Orlando, located at 1010 Arthur Ave in Orlando, FL. Rowley has been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since 2014. The emergency order prohibits Rowley from practicing massage therapy on female patients in Florida, effective immediately.
According to the Emergency Order, a 28-year-old female client received a 60-minute massage from Brandon Rowley at The Spa Orlando on May 19, 2024. The Order states that the client disrobed to her underwear, laid face down, and was covered by a sheet. When Brandan entered the room, the client claimed that Rowley did not speak a word and remained silent throughout the massage. Rowley never asked his client about her problem areas; he never asked if the pressure was comfortable, and he never alerted her when he moved to new parts of the body. He did, however, motion her to flip over midway through the massage.
The client states that Rowley got very close to her and even felt his breath on her neck. Rowley then reached down and massaged the client's hip area grazing close to her vagina. He then repeated the same movement but under her underwear close to her vagina several times. The client reported that she also felt his penis run up against her hand. Rowley massaged the client's buttocks under her underwear, and then he slid his hand further down her leg. Rowley massaged the client's thighs as she was improperly draped, and she felt his fingers and hand touch her labia. Rowley repeated to do so at least four times. Rowley also massaged her breasts and nipples multiple times. The client was in shock and felt extremely uncomfortable.
When investigators requested information from the spa about the client's paperwork, they saw nothing filled out and nothing on file except a receipt for a returned massage payment.
Clients of massage therapists are placed in isolated, vulnerable settings where they can be subject to abuse by their massage therapists. Due to the potential for abuse that is inherent under these circumstances, massage therapists must possess good judgment and good moral character to practice massage therapy safely. Rowley willfully abused his position as a massage therapist to sexually violate a patient. Rowley abused his power and lacked good moral judgment to practice massage safely on female clients, which presented a serious danger to the public; therefore, as a result of his actions, he is prohibited from practicing massage therapy on female clients in Florida.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists for clients who were inappropriately touched at The Spa Orlando or other various salons and spas. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or sexual battery during a massage, or if you know someone who has, please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or email sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz for a free consultation.